NEWARK - Two weeks after he first appeared in Licking County Common Pleas Court for a sentencing hearing, 28-year-old Jeffery Parrish actually heard his punishment.

Parrish, of Newark, had first appeared on April 25 for a change of plea and sentencing before Judge Thomas Marcelain. But during a series of questions defendants are required to answer before their plea can be accepted, Parrish indicated medication he was on was interfering with his ability to make an informed choice on pleading.

"I wasn't really ready for this day at all," he said at the time.

Parrish was taken into custody and allowed time to adjust his medication so he would be able to understand the proceedings, which led to Tuesday morning's hearing.

Parrish entered guilty pleas to one count each of rape, a first-degree felony; and gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.

Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Paula Sawyers said between July 13 and 14, Parrish was staying at the home of the victim. The 8-year-old child was fondled and Parrish engaged in other sexual conduct with the child.

As part of a jointly recommended plea agreement, Sawyers and Parrish's attorney, Kristin Burkett, asked Marcelain to sentence Parrish to 15 years in prison.

The maximum possible sentence was 16 years.

Before imposing sentence, Marcelain heard from the victim's father, who shook as he read a statement on behalf of his child.

"Our children shouldn't have to look over their shoulders for monsters like this," he said. "He took advantage of the trust and love only a child can give."

The father said the world will never know the person his child could have grown up to be had Parrish not changed the child's life.

"He literally stole a piece of this world's future by raping my (child)," he said. "(My child) has to find themself again."

Parrish did not offer a statement on his own behalf.

Marcelain followed the joint recommendation for a sentence and ordered Parrish to serve 15 years in prison. More than 11 years of that sentence are mandatory, meaning Parrish will not be eligible to apply for early release.

When he is released from prison, Parrish will be required to register as a Tier III sexual offender for the rest of his life.